We are a group of writers, readers, bloggers, authors and, most importantly book lovers! We love reading all genres, but especially Young Adult! Our blog will feature all sorts of fun things like author interviews, book reviews, writing tips and giveaways.

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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Yikes, I've been water logged! I had a major storm blow through my tiny town on Monday and we lost power and most of the county is flooded. It was the perfect time to sit down and read a quick, fun, sexy little story. I read Strip Me Free by Michelle TurnerStrip Me Free is a sweet and sexy New Adult Novella centering around Briar Roberts. She's a young girl being forced to marry someone she doesn't love, but finds her self and her true love on a wild girls night in Vegas. This book was light and fun and a little sexy. Briar meets Zane, the super hot owner of the hottest strip club in Vegas, they have a wild night and it only gets crazier from there! I liked this story because it tapped in to my wild side. How fun would it be to be carefree for one night and meet a hot stranger who falls for you in an instant. Strong and handsome and a little bit bad, Zane sweeps Briar off her feet and doesn't let her get away easily. If you're looking for a quick read (think beach time, airport layover, rainy day), then pick up a copy of Strip Me Free.Heather: I just read Strip Me Free and it was a great little guilty pleasure book. Tell us a little about it and what your inspiration was for it.
Michelle: Well, Strip Me Free is the story of Briar and Zane. Briar's a girl who's been sheltered and controlled all her life and decides to give herself one night of freedom in Vegas. Zane's the owner of the strip club Briar happens to find herself in during that freedom. The whole story is about how he comes into her life and turns it upside down - in the best way possible of course.
There wasn't one thing that really inspired me to write Strip Me Free. The story just honestly came to me out of the blue. One minute I was sitting there and the next minute the characters hit me and I knew I had to start writing. So that's what I did. H: Sometimes that's the best way to write!
H: Can you give us a taste of any current WIP's?
M: Yes, I can. The next book I'm focusing on is Enlightening Bloom, which is the follow-up to my very first book Reviving Bloom. So here's a teaser from Bloom's best friend Bonnie:
For some stupid reason I decide I need to dance. I’m not even sure what the band’s playing, but in my inebriated state it doesn’t matter. I’m waving my stolen bottle of Jack around in the air and I’m swaying my hips to the music.
I grab the closest unattached guy and pull him out to join me. I wrap my arms around his neck, dumping some Jack down the guys back, and pull him close to me. If I was sober I would’ve realized this wasn’t a great idea.
I feel the guy being jerked out of my arms and I look up and up and up and find glowing amber eyes staring back at me. Tucker pulls the bottle out of my hand and throws it over his shoulder. Then grips my waist, lifting me up off the floor so we’re face to face.
“Keep trying to fight this all you want. I won’t be going anywhere. But no other male is allowed to put his hands on you. I see that again and their life will be forfeited. Do you understand me?” Tucker’s voice is dropped into a low growl and even in my drunken state I can tell his words aren’t just an empty threat, but a sincere promise.
I swallow the lump in my throat and decide this isn’t the best time to fight him. “Completely.”
“Good.” His eyes scan my face and I know if I was on my feet I’d be squirming when his intense gaze lands on my lips. “I should kiss some sense into you.”
I bite down on my bottom lip to stop myself from screaming. “Please do.” I don’t want to fight him. I can’t, tonight. I want to feel the needy burn he causes in me. A burn the whiskey in me is fueling instead of dousing.
He sees the need in my eyes or maybe he’s just reading my thoughts, but either way instead of taking my lips, like I want, he places me back on my feet. He pushes some loose strands of hair away from my face. His fingers brushing the skin of my cheek causes me to shiver. Then he leans down to my ear and whispers. “Not tonight. I want you to remember our first kiss, so I’ll wait till you’re sober. But don’t worry it’s coming. Soon.” I shiver, at his words this time. He feels it and chuckles. Then he presses a soft kiss right below my ear and turns around and leaves me standing drunk, lonely, and turned on beyond belief in the middle of the dance floor.
H: Sounds exciting! I need to finish Reviving Bloom, quick!H: What are your 3 favorite books right now?
M: Rock Chick Revenge by Kristen Ashley (I love almost all her books, but this one was the one that I keep going back to and re-reading. I think I'm up to three or four times read so far.)
Falling for Hadie by Komal Kant. (Love, love, love this book! Actually I love this series and I'm going crazy waiting for the next one.)
Territory by Susan Bliler (I'm a sucker for a good shifter/werewolf book. And Susan is one of my absolute favorite authors for this genre.)H: I've heard good things about Kristen Ashley and I LOVE Komal's books.
H: I'm a facebook stalker so I know you just went camping! What other things do you do when you aren't writing? M: Read, a lot. If I'm not writing or doing something with my family, you find me reading.
I'm an avid reader too!
H: I'm an aspiring writer and currently working on my first novel. It's harder than I thought! Do you have any advice for me (and others)?
M: Always keep paper and pen/pencil on you because you never know when inspiration's going to hit you and if you don't get it don't you could easily forget.
And ignore the bad reviews. Some people are going to love your book and some are going to hate it, but either way it goes it's all a matter of opinion. Some of my favorite books are ones that don't have stellar reviewsThanks Michelle!

Friday, July 26, 2013

In the last few years - Twilight was when I noticed it - books are becoming movies. (Though now that I think of it Nicholas Sparks has been probably the most common books into movie authors). Ultimate goal, right there. My book on the big screen. Sigh. *envisions herself on a red carpet*

I have been following all three but I am going to talk about TMI. I always get nervous when books turn into movies - what if it's not done right? And then once I see the characters - their face is now the face I see when I read the book. I always worry about these restraints.

From the trailers, interviews and images that I have stalked online, TMI seems to actually be doing a better job with the world than I had originally imagined. It's darker. I love it.

Jace was another concern of mine. When I heard Jaime Campbell Bower was going to be Jace, I was disappointed. He fits the description set out be Cassandra Clare, but how I had him put together was not it. And I didn't think he would pull it off. I am turning my opinion around, the more of the clips that are released.

What about you? What do you think of the TMI movie so far?

What movie are you most looking forward this year? Or maybe what's your favorite from the past?

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

FIVE + STARS and a standing ovation

I was nervous to pick up this book after my recent diagnosis
with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. But I had my thyroid removed and was given
the “all clear” and decided that I was ready to give this book a chance--especially
since I haven’t met one person who has read it who didn’t love it.

I’m so glad I decided to read it because John Green is
brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Sure, I haven’t met any real-life teenagers who talk like
Hazel and Augustus, but I want to. I really want to. It sort of reminded me of the way they talked
on Dawson’s Creek only better. I really
enjoyed their characters. I didn’t find
them overly pretentious like I’ve seen a few negative reviews point out (heck,
I can’t even imagine how this book has any less-than-positive reviews period).
I thought they were very endearing and quite frankly perfect for each other.

I went in to this story knowing that there wasn’t going to
be a happily ever after. How could there be with a terminally ill teenager as
the narrator? I didn’t guess the ending though. I won’t say anything more than
that, but that it did hit me hard because it was so unexpected. I probably spent the last 40% of the novel trying
not to cry (unsuccessfully).

This is the kind of book that leaves you awake thinking
about it for hours after you’ve finished.

It really is a wonderful, inspiring story about learning to
make the most of today because you never know what tomorrow might bring.

Definitely a 5+ star read for me and quite possibly my new
favorite next to The Sea of Tranquility.

Right now it's only $3.99 on Amazon. I'm not sure if this is a promotion price or if it's going to be priced like that from now on (I heard a rumor that traditional publishing companies were going to be lowering their ebook prices...) but since his other ebooks are $8+ , I'm guessing this is a limited time offer. If you haven't had a chance to read this book yet, I highly recommend it.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Well, recently, I had a beautiful baby girl names Emma! In the last three weeks - I have read one book. Mommyhood - great! Reading - takes a backseat!

I did make it through a great book. One that I have already read. But it's a great one and the final installment (wait, is it the final installment?) is coming out soon. So i freshened up. Does anyone else do this?

Anyway - It was Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

Like in true Book 2 fashion, Insurgent pieces a lot of information together. I think the biggest thing a reader learns is why Jeanne Mathews is doing what she is doing to the factions. We see it isn't for selfish reasons, it's for the good of the factions - well - in her opinion. Normally a villain is in it for themselves, and while I hate Jeanne, she may be doing things for the "good of the people" in a deranged way.

Four is one of my favorite male crushes. I love him but Tris and Four, in this book, were off for me. They didn't show the trust and connection they did in the first book. They kept a lot of secrets. And maybe it was for writing purposes and build up for the third book. But i felt the intensity that was them, was missing. I am hoping it comes back.

The big secret that gets revealed. I think is a bit confusing. I am hoping for more clarification. Does anyone want to try and expand on this for me. Maybe I am just missing it?

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

AHHHHH Final FOUR! Please go vote for Dank at the YA-Sisterhood! We have been killing it! So keep up the good work! There is a giveaway at the bottom of this post! Go vote and spread the word!Personality: He's pretty honest and upfront. For the most part, each character who has a run in with Dank knows where they stand with him. The only time he withholds anything is when it might effect/affect Pagan in some way. He writes music from his heart. Dank has a sarcastic side, that isn't abrasive, but just enough to tease Pagan. He takes his "work" seriously and after his love with Pagan, understands what he is doing more clearly, so he is willing to grow (how many guys really are?)

Looks: Bluer than blue eyes. So blue that they have been referred to as gems. Look at the covers. Those babies pop. He also has black, not too long hair, that curls on the ends. A sultry smirk reserved only for Pagan and a dimple. Just one, sinisterly cute dimple. Smoking hot body. Did I mention his blue eyes? Talents: Besides easing people into their deaths? He serenades (and well, like soothingly and sensually) his girlfriend Pagan with a guitar and lullabies that he has written about how she has saved him. I mean, what girl doesn't want that? I do. Special Attributes/Best Qualities: One of my favorite qualities about him is his compassion. He can be a tough, I know that, but he can be so sweet and he doesn't have to be. For example, there was a little girl in EXISTENCE and he talked to the little girl and tried to make dying easier and made it a beautiful process. He didn't have to. His compassion extends farther than Pagan. Then there is that whole he is Death thing. Ya know - no biggie. Or the fact that he is a deity. Anything else? This year, with the help of my street team (WHO ARE AWESOME) and the great Abbi Glines, I have added some other reader's favorite qualities, moments, and quotes. One of my favorite quotes: “He's already proven he'll defy Heaven to keep her. If Hell wants a piece of him too, then bring it on.” SWOON!Two Responses from Abbi Glines! What are some of your favorite things about Dank? He holds the key to life or death in his hands yet he becomes as weak as a human when he falls for Pagan. There is something about watching a Deity act like a mortal because of love that gets to you. One of the reasons I love Greek Mythology. And why was he a fun character to write? Because he wasn't a man. He was something that every human fears but they know they will meet one day. Writing him with emotions and giving him a voice was almost comforting in a way.
From the Greedy Booker - (and a quote I love) - “I’m not a man so I do not have a heart that loves as a human does. I’m an immortal god that dwells with supreme power because I hold the keys to Death. But you are my existence. I am yours.”- ExistenceFrom Jorie Sus- Confronting Ghede with the Warriors threatening to destroy voodoo if he doesn't release Pagan's soul - (I have to say I loved this too. BAD ASS and it reminded me of how tough Dank is.)
From Erica Cope "It's the scene where Pagan is home from dress shopping and Dank comments on the pale pink dress then....

Both his hands gripped my waist pulling me hard up against his body. "You tempt me. I can't be tempted. I'm not made to be tempted but you, Pagan Moore, you tempt me."

Then he goes on to say:

"I didn't understand it at first. But now I know. It's your soul calling to me. Souls mean nothing to me. They aren't supposed to. But yours has become my obsession."

Totaly swoonworthy moment for me. :)

What's better than having a sexy rockstar serenade you in your sleep? :)

Kayla - Okay, seriously, this year's tourney is full of total hotness & it was hard to choose which fella I wanted to support. I decided Dank was my man this year to support because, well, what's hotter than the baddest guy ever (hello - he's DEATH) who also plays the guitar plus sings & loves fiercely! <3 data-blogger-escaped-font="">

Willow D - “I realised you owned me one night in this room. I was singing to you and you were sleeping. You made a little noise in your sleep like you were distressed and I panicked and ran to your side. You grabbed my arm in your sleep and pulled it up against your face and went back to sleep. I didn't want to ever move.”

So if you love Dank or just fell in love with him, support us! Tweet for #TeamDank, on facebook, on your blog and where ever else!BIG NEWS!!! Abbi is donating 15 copies of Existence for the Tourney with some swag AND has agreed to write a novella for Dank and Pagan after Ceaseless. It will be free if Dank wins the tourney. And people, lets be honest, if you have read the series, why wouldn't you vote for him?a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, July 14, 2013

You can’t plan for everything…That’s what Ellie Glass realizes after she has a chance encounter with a young musician. Long-haired, a bit scruffy, and undeniably sexy, he’s the exact opposite of her “type,” but now Ellie can’t stop thinking about him. When fate intervenes and the two are thrown together, Ellie gets more than she bargained for. Pretty soon she finds herself feeling and doing things that she never thought were possible. This is the captivating story of an undeniable attraction, the choices that we make, and ultimately, the unexpected power of love

OH I loved this so much! Autumn has a poetic way of describing things that is just so lovely.

"Here, on the edge of campus, where the University blends into the comings and goings of everyday life, the sidewalk is active with people."

"If I'm being fair, it was the best kiss of my life--a kiss that finds all of your seams and pulls them apart, stitch by delicate stitch."

"One minute you're tied to earth by gravity and everything you know about the world, and the next you're up, floating, soaring."...moOH I loved this so much! Autumn has a poetic way of describing things that is just so lovely.

This book has been sitting on my kindle for weeks now, maybe even months. I can't even remember when I bought it but I'm pretty sure it was April or May and since it's now July (where did summer go?) it's safe to say it's been neglected for way too long.
My best friend Elizabeth is a book addict and she always tells me what books I need to read and she is always right. So when she and Komal BOTH recommended this book I knew I had to read it.
At first it was going to be my reward for finishing the first draft of In the Shadows and then the whole "c" word fiasco happened and I decided to take a mini-break from writing in order to remove the stress of my self-imposed deadline all in the name of good ju-ju.
I was thinking I would just take it easy, relax and read all the new books that I've been meaning to get around to while I mentally prepared myself for my surgery. But I found myself in a reading funk. I'd start books (books that I normally would devour) but I couldn't make myself focus enough to finish.
Then I went to Book Bash a week later and picked up The Sea of Tranquility. It only takes one good book to break out of a reading funk and The Sea of Tranquility was it for me. I finished it (and loved it), then I picked up Tangled by Emma Chase again (I started it weeks ago...reading, funk remember? Loved this one too) and cracked up over the inner-workings of the male mind and then I immediately delved into On an Edge of Glass and was swept away by the poetic stylings of Autumn Doughton.
No seriously, the lady is a freaking poetic genius.
She describes things in such an interesting, unexpected way that never would even occur to me but somehow fit perfectly. Her words grab ahold of you by your shirt and refuse to let go until you feel every.single.detail.

"A line of impatient caffeine addicts snakes out the door just behind me, letting in an unsettling gust of cool air. It ruffles my hair and the pages spread out on the low table in front of me."

"Here, on the edge of campus, where the University blends into the comings and goings of everyday life, the sidewalk is active with people."

"If I'm being fair, it was the best kiss of my life--a kiss that finds all of your seams and pulls them apart, stitch by delicate stitch."

"One minute you're tied to earth by gravity and everything you know about the world, and the next you're up, floating, soaring."

Lovely, right? And this book is filled with them. I started this book late last night and read until my eyelids fell close on their own accord. Then when the sun peeked in through my curtains this morning and the dog whined to be let out of her kennel I picked it back up and didn't put it down until I read the last page (3 cups of coffee later).
And it's funny too.

"I wish that I had said that I, too, care about polar bears, and pencil sharpeners, and about deforestation in South America, and about the sanity of the people that walk around the planet thinking that the mullet is still a reasonable hairstyle, and about calzones not being at all the same as pizza."
It's a normal, REAL story about two people who can't deny the pull between them and the real obstacles that stand in their way of being together.
There was just enough angst to keep it interesting without being over-the-top and unbearably painful to read. But at the same time, you felt the pain that Ellie felt (and even Ben) because it was just so relatable.
Autumn makes you remember what it feels like to feel that immediate attraction to someone. The beautiful kind of fluttering and longing that is the start of every new relationship, the lurch in your stomach when something goes wrong and the faint stirring of hope when you know there is a chance for everything to work out after all.
You feel it all.
You remember it all.
And it's just so darn beautiful.
On an Edge of Glass is being added to my shelf of all-time favorites.
I highly recommend this book to everyone I know.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Komal Kant’s upcoming release Wrong Side of Town has had a cover makeover done by the amazing Eden Crane. Wrong Side of Town is the third book in the With Me series but can be read as a stand-alone. It has a release date of August 16, so don’t forget to add it on Goodreads!

“You
never know someone is missing in your life until the moment they enter it.”

Estella Markson is a good girl. She studies
hard, stays out of trouble, and is struggling to hold together her family that
is falling apart because of her alcoholic father.

Vincent Madden is the guy your mother
warned you to stay away from. He doesn’t follow the rules, is in a notorious
motorcycle gang, and doesn’t care if he breaks the law or someone’s bones.

After a chance encounter, Vincent starts to
take an interest in the innocent girl who is so different to him. Despite
Vincent’s infamous reputation, Estella is also intrigued by him. There is
something about this bad boy that gives her an escape from her world of
problems, and she can’t stay away.

Even as they struggle with the problems in
their lives, Vincent and Estella soon find that trying to forget is easier with
someone by your side.

Komal Kant is the author of
IMPOSSIBLE, FALLING FOR HADIE, and the upcoming WRONG SIDE OF TOWN. She
currently lives in Sydney, but wishes she lived all over the world.

Her weird-filled days are filled
with imaginary characters who often speak to her in hushed tones before
stealing her lunch money; Siberian Huskies who talk back a lot; and the growing
need to clone herself so she can write faster.

You can often find her swooning over
fictional male characters who smirk a lot, superhero-related movies, and Ryan
Gosling. So if there was ever a superhero movie with Ryan Gosling in it
smirking a lot, she would pass out from an overload of swooniness.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

"What? Mesh? Heather, what are you talking about?"
I'm talking about Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn, my currant favorite book! But wait, this is only book one of the Mindjack series. There are two more! "What is this book all about?" you ask. Good thing I'm reading it so I can tell you!

In world (our world but in the future) where mind reading is the norm, Kira is a Zero. She can't read minds at all, until she meets the super hot, super sexy, super strange, Simon. He tells her she's a Mindjacker. Kira can hack into other people's minds and make them do whatever she wants. Cool right? Not so much. While Simon uses his mindjacking to make other Readers (those who read minds) believe he's one of them, Kira finds it overwhelming and isn't comfortable with all the lying involved.

I don't want to give any more away, but you must read this book. Simon isn't all he's cracked up to be and betrayal looms. Raf, Kira's super hot, super sexy, Portuguese soccer playing stud of a BFF loved her even when she was a Zero and will do everything to save/help her.

In the midst of all that, we learn about this future world we live in. Everything is mind controlled, from cars, to phones, even the fridge! They use words like mesh (cool), scrit (text), and they live in Chicago New Metro which takes up half of Illinois and house have to be a certain distance apart so you are out of "range" of your neighbors thoughts.

It's been difficult for me to read Paranormal YA for a long time. Too much vampire drama for me and nothing seemed original. I loved Melissa Pearl's Time Spirit Trilogy-original content and very entertaining and well written. I'm anxiously awaiting the second book in Erica Cope's Lark series (I know you've been busy!). And I'm loving Open Minds so far and I hope it won't disappoint in the next two books.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

So, I was supposed to blog Tuesday and I didn't and I was going to blog today....and I didn't. Komal said I was kicked out of the club unless I sent her bagels so let's just say I've been trying to figure out how to send bagels from Kansas to Australia legally and safely.
I've also been procrastinating school work and I've barely had time to read anything. And my friend in Africa loaned me three books! Yikes! Oh yeah, I'm also leaving tomorrow for Virginia for a week. CRAZY!

OH YEAH!! I did have a major break through in my book. I love it soooo much! I thought if it in the shower in case you were wondering.

Anyway. I'm reading Bully and love it so far. Tate is funny. I hope the climax is epic because it's building up to be really intense.

Ok, that's all. I'm going to leave you with a video. I don't really know how to be all fancy and link it here all pretty, so here's the link. Don't laugh.
Well, look at that! I didn't know how to make it all fancy!